The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-03-26

glance from the dark eyes, sic ueIerm- !
ined to speak at once, but 1t was not
such an easy task as she had imagined |
it to be. Before she could quite de-
termine how to introduce the subject,
Mrs. Ainsworth broke the brief silence. |
"Miss Edith, would you be so Kind as
to let me have nearer view of that
card in your handP | get such tam
talizing glimpse of it from here, for l
am rather short-sighted. " Then, as
Edith gladly handed it to her, she con-
tinued enthusiastically: THAT is one
of the most exquisite cards ever saw!
q genuine gem. wonder if it is some
of your work, Miss EdithP"
"No indeed, it is not; | haven't
particle of genius, unless it be for
making candy. That is some of Kittic's
work.
"Is it, indeed?" and Mrs. Ainsworth
turned to the girl with some surprise.
This work is really very good; you
must have had an excellent teacher"
Kitty flushed brightly. II never
had any teacher at all; what know
1 have picked up myself as best l
could"
81 should try to find some teacher if
I were you, although you probably
could not find competent one in this
place. Your best way would be to go
to some good art school,
The red on Kittie's cheeks deepcned.
II should most certainly 60 if | could
afford to do So" she answered, with u
tinge of hauteur in her voice.
A rather embarrassed pause followed
Kittie's remark. just as twas becom-
ing uncomfortable, Mrs. Ainsworth
turned to Kittie with her most winning
smile. II believe this is the first time
that we have had any conversation to-
gether, Miss Grey, butnevertheless am
going to ask favor of you, and trust
to your good nature to grant it. |
want some Easter cards, some hand
somer ones than | can find at Mr..
Brereton's. Will you paint me half n
dozen? Please don't refuse; choose
your own designs and set your own
price. You will do it, will you not?"
Indeed 1 WILL" said the girl, with
such heartiness that all fear of being
considered patronizing left Mrs. Aims
worths mind at once.
wasn't it splendid, Edith" asked
Kittie, in true schoolgirl fashion, as the
two were walking home shortly after.
you didn't have to do any talking for
me after all, she did it herself. Oh! l
shall paint her some wonderful cards.
feel inspired"
The next ten days were busy ones.
School work and home duties left Kit
tie very little leisure, and she was COM
PEELED to sit up late at night and get up
very early in the morning in order to
finish her work within the promised
time. At last the six dainty designs
were completed, and even Kittie look
at them with content. Over the last
especially she bent with quiet satisfac-
ton. II am not sure" she said to Edith,
who had come for last look at the
cards, whether this is really worth
any thing or not, but l feel special
interest in it because the design is my
my own; the others are either adapted
or copied from something. You re-
member Whittier's poem, The Vision
of Echard,' do you not Edith? l be-
lieve l like that the best of all his
poems; it suggested this picture to me,
but l have not been able to express the
idea as we'll as would like" The
picture at which both girls were look.
ing was painted on white satin, AT the
top in the quaint lettering of medieval
times were the lines:
They bowed to CHASTITY symbol
To cross and scourge and thorn.
Below was picture of weary, grim
old monk, painfully toiling along the
dreary, desolate road toward the spires
of Jerusalem, barely visible in the dis
lance. Opposite this first scene was
the picture of a modern city; man
had halted on the streets to hand for
lorn beggar piece of money. Above
the picture in the same old English let
tering, were these lines
Who holds his brothers welfare
AS sacred as his own,
And loves, forgives and pities,
He servcth Me alone.
In the lower right-hand corner was
bunch of Syrian lilies, and the words
= EASTER Greeting.
at is beautiful, dear" said Edith
truthfully. "Mrs. Ainsworth can no
help but like it; stop and tell me wha
she says, will you? wish l could g,
with you, but must take my music
lesson. Goodbye" and with a ga,
little n cd, Edith vanished.
) Two hours later, Kite, eager ant
= happy, appeared in Edith's room. "Se
: this" she exclaimed triumphantly
tbrou.; ar n ,.oD oF lille into bnr fr;ord 4